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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bethesda

Maryland · 68,056 residents · 13.262 sq mi
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The short version

Bethesda is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $172,873. Population has grown 23% since 2000. 87% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $927,600. Poverty is rare here, at 3.6% of residents. Households here earn about 99% more than the Maryland median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
87% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 65%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
68,056
+23%since 2000
from 55,277 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
5,132 / sq mi
+23%since 2000
from 4,168 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.4
+2%since 2000
from 41.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
54K58K62K67K71K1990201020202024Bethesda
202469K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$172,873
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,102 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$99,592
+70%since 2000
from $58,479 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
77.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 71.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
3.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services8.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Information4.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.5%
US avg: 2%
Retail trade2.9%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade2%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$927,600
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $374,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,075
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,013 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.3%
−6.8 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
37.7% rent
Afford Score
5.4
+42%since 2000
from 3.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bethesda on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.8%(45,210)
Black2.6%(1,432)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(3,000)
Asian7.9%(4,357)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.1%(19,950)
2020
White, non-Hispanic68%(46,290)
Black4.5%(3,058)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(6,251)
Asian12.2%(8,325)
Other4%(2,738)
Diversity Score61.2%(41,653)
Diversity Score
61
+70%since 2000
from 36 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
86.7%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 97.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
57.7%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 48.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.4 min
+59%since 2000
from 18.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
52.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 57.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 4.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 70.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
80.2%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 88.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
52.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
23.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.2%
−94.3 ptssince 2013
from 96.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Bethesda to nearby cities

BETHESDA VS
Chevy Chase
Income$211,765+22%
Home value$1,245,000+34%
Population9,445−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BETHESDA VS
North Bethesda
Income$129,092−25%
Home value$731,800−21%
Population49,677−28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BETHESDA VS
South Kensington
Income$210,953+22%
Home value$919,800−1%
Population8,148−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BETHESDA VS
North Kensington
Income$135,040−22%
Home value$576,700−38%
Population8,954−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bethesda, Maryland?

Bethesda, Maryland has about 68,056 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bethesda, Maryland?

The typical household in Bethesda, Maryland earns about $172,873 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bethesda, Maryland expensive?

In Bethesda, Maryland, the median home is worth about $927,600, and the typical rent is about $2,075 a month.

How educated are people in Bethesda, Maryland?

About 86.7% of adults age 25 and over in Bethesda, Maryland hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bethesda, Maryland?

About 3.6% of people in Bethesda, Maryland live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bethesda, Maryland grown since 1990?

Yes, Bethesda, Maryland has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,120 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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